There are a number of microfluidic assays which use microbeads in unbound state (not fixed to solid wall), followed by fluorescent based signal measurement. But there are no parameters mentioned which were used in selection of a specific size of a bead. I believe diffusion constant is the only parameter involved. Could you suggest if there are any other parameters involved as well.
Your help will be appreciated.
I don't think that the diffusion constant of the beads is relevant in this context. It very much depends on the used technology, which size is suitable.
Hi Dr. Weller,
I want to use microspheres attached to primary antibodies as a reagent, and then measure the optical signal in the reaction chamber arising due to this binding.
Do you mean Absorbance with "optical" signal? Usually, fluorescence or enzyme labels are used for this purpose. The direct detection of the bound analyte seems to be very difficult.
We are testing various hypothesis, and one of those involves measuring absorbance. Though the overall idea is similar for all of them.
We have chosen a random channel size and bead size as of now but would like to define a system for this selection.
No one have worked in microfluidics or immunoassays in our group, so we are trying to learn by doing.
"No one have worked in microfluidics or immunoassays in our group, so we are trying to learn by doing." I think that starting with some traditional textbooks is a much better and faster approach. Ask your librarian for help.
@Dr. Weller,
I have gone through various textbooks (by authors such as Henrik Bruus, David Wild etc.), but most books do not tend to cover all the aspects required.
Rohan,
If you have some fund, do have a look at Luminex xMAP technology. They offer a complete system that allows you (depending on the machine) to multiplex 50 / 100 / 500 analytes in one sample. We have developed quite a few immunoassays on xMAP technology with good results.
Regards
René Achterberg (Wageningen University & Research)
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